Long lines continue: D-SNAP benefit applications extended across Harris County

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Friday, October 6, 2017
Thousands wait outside GRB for benefits
Thousands wait outside GRB for benefits, Natasha Barrett reports.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The doors are finally open at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where thousands are waiting to apply for emergency state food benefits known as D-SNAP.

Many people have been waiting since 10 p.m. last night after many of them moved from the last D-SNAP location.

In the heat, Samantha Qureshi waited at Greenspoint Mall to apply for D-SNAP.

"I'm diabetic," she said. "So I only have snacks to last me two to three hours."

That may not be long enough.

Some people told ABC13 they waited nearly five hours to reach the last stretch of the mile-long line on Thursday. That's why the state is extending the time it will take benefit applications by one more day. It is opening at the GRB today at 8 a.m to 7 p.m.

RELATED: 'Disaster SNAP' open to people affected by Hurricane Harvey

You must apply for benefits in your county and they all have different service dates. You can find the latest information on D-SNAP's website.

Since Hurricane Harvey, in Harris County more than 200,000 people have applied for assistance, along with thousands more in surrounding counties.

Residents in Montgomery, Wharton and Galveston counties will start the D-SNAP process in the coming weeks.

Those locations include:

- Wharton Civic Center (Oct. 9-15)

- League City Plaza (Oct. 9-15)

- Montgomery County Fairgrounds (Oct. 16-20)

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